Sharks Finalized Roster as Gaudette Landed on IR
The team set its 23-man roster while forward Matt Nieto announced his retirement from professional hockey.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Hockey
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The San Jose Sharks have submitted their 23-man roster to the NHL office ahead of the season opener. Meanwhile, veteran forward Matt Nieto retired after playing 705 career games.
Why it matters
The roster submission marks the completion of preseason personnel decisions for San Jose as they prepare to face the Florida Panthers. The move to place forward Adam Gaudette on injured reserve shifts the team composition early in the season.
The Sharks finalized a 23-man roster including 14 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goalies. Winger Brett Leason, who signed a one-year deal in July, joins the lineup with 226 career games of experience.
The players
Adam Gaudette
He is a professional hockey forward currently on the San Jose Sharks roster.
Matt Nieto
He is a veteran hockey player who retired after playing 705 NHL games over 12 seasons.
Logan Couture
He is a Sharks forward currently in the final year of an eight-year, $64 million contract.
Brett Leason
He is a 6-foot-5 winger who signed a one-year contract with San Jose in July.
The details
Forward Adam Gaudette was placed on the injured reserve list due to an upper-body injury. Concurrently, 33-year-old Matt Nieto retired from professional hockey, citing persistent injuries that hindered his ability to compete at a high level.
Timeline
- 2026-09-26
Deadline for submitting the 23-man roster to the league office.
- 2026-10-01
The Sharks season opener against the Florida Panthers.
The Stats
The team adhered to the NHL 23-man roster limit, a strict policy governing player totals for every club at the start of the campaign.
Fans will see a 23-man roster in action for the season opener on Thursday against the Florida Panthers. The absence of Adam Gaudette due to injury requires adjustments to the forward lines for the immediate upcoming games.
The takeaway
The retirement of Matt Nieto highlights the physical toll of a 12-season career in professional hockey. The team's ability to finalize its roster while managing injuries remains a primary factor in their early season performance.
Further reading
For more updates on the upcoming schedule and team changes, visit the Hockey section.
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